Vanda - I Don't Swim

Vanda

I Don't Swim
​self-released; 2024

By Matt Jensen
​

Vanda’s “I Don’t Swim” finds the rising alt-pop artist stepping into deeper emotional waters, offering a poignant follow-up to her breakout debut, Sober In Another Life. This second single of the year is shaped by the grief of losing her best friend, a seismic event that has pushed her toward broader sonic horizons and richer lyrical introspection.

The track opens with a sparse, lo-fi guitar and muted humming, setting a stage of raw intimacy. Vanda’s vocals, delicate and tinged with melancholy, are soon joined by subtle layers of bass and atmospheric textures. The arrangement swells gently, with understated guitar fills weaving into the reflective mood like passing thoughts. At the 1:45 mark, a faint glimmer of hope emerges—a shift carried by drifting vocal harmonies that feel weightless yet grounded in sadness.

“I Don’t Swim” is a study in restraint, where every production choice feels deliberate, serving the song’s reflective nature without overstepping. There's a quiet type of yearning that comes through on the song which is earnest and vulnerable.

Fans of Julien Baker and Julie Byrne will find much to admire in Vanda’s ability to balance vulnerability with precision. It’s a quietly powerful piece that tugs at your heart strings.

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